People living near the proposed site of a new Greggs in York should share their views on the plans, a local councillor has said.
Labour’s Cllr Conrad Whitcroft said Fishergate ward members wanted to ensure residents’ views on converting of the former Fulford Road Iceland are heard after McDonald’s plans for it were blocked.
Fishergate’s planning panel has objected claiming the plans could create a precedent for a larger café there and cause a significant disturbance from noise.
It comes after plans to put a branch of the national bakery chain in part of the empty supermarket, neighbouring Aldi at Fulford Cross, were lodged in June.
They follow the approval in April of plans to split the supermarket up into three separate units.
An application to convert the whole building into a McDonald’s was refused in October 2024 on public health grounds.
In its objection, Fishergate planning panel states: “It appears that baking and indeed deliveries would commence before 7am. This would create a significant noise disturbance to neighbours.”
Fishergate’s Cllr Whitcroft said the priority of councillors was ensuring the voices of the local community were fully heard regarding the plans.
The ward councillor said: “Just as we did when we successfully worked together with residents to defeat the previous McDonald’s proposals, we want to ensure local residents’ views shape the future of this area.
“On the new proposals for the former Iceland site on Fulford Road, we are keeping an open mind and reviewing the plans neutrally.
“We strongly encourage residents to get in touch with us directly to share their thoughts, comments, or concerns so we can best represent our community’s needs.”
‘Welcome investment’
Unit 2C at the eastern end of the building would be converted to house the Greggs.
It would open from 6am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
The front of the supermarket would be fitted with Greggs signs and branding as part of the conversion.
Access to the building would also be changed along with the layout of the car park in front of it.
Air conditioning units and extractors would be fitted to the outside of the building.
Plans stated the site had been vacant since Iceland shut in 2023 and the proposed Greggs would allow it to be brought back into use.
They added the conversion would be an acceptable use of the building give its previous use as a supermarket and as shops before that.
Greggs’ application stated: “Investment into this part of York should be welcomed, particularly where visual improvements to the area are to be made, enhancing and improving the vitality and viability of this existing, minor retail area.”
More than 3,000 people signed a petition calling on council planning officers to block the application for the McDonald’s in the run up to its refusal in 2024.
The fast food giant said it was committed to finding a site elsewhere in York following the council’s decision to block the plans.
Greggs did not respond to the Local Democracy Reporting Service’s (LDRS) request for comment.
